Father Esteban Mallar: The Seriously Fun Service to the Kingdom

Father Esteban Mallar, a priest for the Diocese of Savannah, has been serving the faithful for just over two years. From St. Francis Xavier Parish and School in Brunswick, Georgia, Father Esteban ministers with a blend of devotion, authenticity, and an undeniable zest for life. But before the collar and chasuble, his journey began as a young boy in Augusta, Georgia, dreaming of becoming a priest who played guitar—a dream sparked by an encounter with his parish priest.

A Childhood Spark

Father Esteban’s vocation story began when he was just seven years old. After asking his priest if there were priests who played guitar, he declared he wanted to be one himself. Encouraged by his mother, who lovingly sewed him play vestments, Esteban spent Fridays after school learning the basics of the faith and altar serving from his parish priest.

However, as he grew into adolescence, the vocation seed lay dormant. Sports took center stage, and faith seemed more like an obligation than a passion. Yet, a knee injury in high school that required surgery became a pivotal moment in his faith journey. Stripped of his athletic outlets, he found himself searching for deeper meaning.

“That was my first major inner conversion,” Father Esteban recalls. “During recovery, I started asking bigger questions about life and faith.”

Faith Takes Root

The pain of recovery led Father Esteban to explore his faith in earnest. He devoured books on the Church and the lives of the saints, joined his parish youth group, and even attended a retreat that profoundly impacted him. But his faith remained primarily intellectual—until his second major conversion in college.

While attending a discernment retreat at Holy Trinity Seminary in Texas, he experienced a moment of clarity in prayer. “I sat in the chapel past midnight and asked, ‘Lord, is this what you want of me?’ And I heard very clearly, ‘Yes, but not here and not yet.’”

Returning home, he built a daily prayer routine and started attending daily Mass. Over time, what began as intellectual curiosity deepened into a heartfelt relationship with Christ.

The Call to Seminary

After a period of discernment, Father Esteban contacted the vocations director for the Diocese of Savannah. Despite facing challenges, the difficult decision to leave behind a dating relationship, he stepped into seminary life with trust in God.

One month into seminary, he hit a breaking point. Feeling isolated, he turned to prayer. “I told Jesus, ‘You have to be my best friend,’ and He answered powerfully,” Father Esteban shares. From that moment, his deep friendship with Christ became the foundation of his priesthood.

A Ministry of Friendship and Fun

Today, Father Esteban’s priesthood is characterized by his joyful personality and commitment to bringing Christ into every aspect of life, including fun and leisure. Drawing from his background in youth ministry, he sees fun as an essential part of a life of faith.

“St. John Bosco said, ‘Have as much fun as you want, as long as you don’t sin,’ and I believe fun can be sanctified when done out of love for God,” he explains. Whether it’s leading youth retreats, hosting board game nights, or creating role-playing adventures centered on a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, Father Esteban shows that joy and holiness go hand in hand.

In the Midst of Tragedy

While his ministry often focuses on joy, Father Esteban has also been a witness to profound suffering. One of the most significant moments of his young priesthood occurred when he was present at a tragic event involving a tragic death. This required him to administer last rites and apostolic pardon to an individual at a moments notice, offering every spiritual gift the Church could provide.

Reflecting on the experience, Father Esteban marvels at God’s providence: “The timing, the location—it was clear God wanted me there to bring His mercy.”

A Priest for the People

Father Esteban’s heart for community shines in his love for spending time with parishioners. “A diocesan priest is a priest for families,” he says. He encourages families to invite their priests over for meals or fellowship, emphasizing that these moments of connection are invaluable.

Advice for Discerning Vocations

Father Esteban offers three pieces of advice to those discerning a vocation:

1. Be Yourself and Strive for Holiness: God calls you to be a saint in your unique way.

2. Do Your Best and Trust Jesus with the Rest: If God wants you to be a priest or religious, He will guide you.

3. Start Living the Life Now: Build habits of prayer, daily Mass, and service to prepare your heart for whatever God calls you to.

Father Esteban’s journey is a beautiful testament to the power of saying “yes” to God, embracing joy, and living in friendship with Christ. From the classroom of his childhood priest to the altar of St. Francis Xavier, he continues to inspire others to seek holiness in the everyday.